Brexit would hit Cornwall harder than any other region in UK, says new report

A no-deal Brexit where the UK adopts WTO rules would impact on Cornwall more adversely than any other region in the UK, a new study has revealed. The report warns that ‘a disorderly Brexit falling back on the minimalist WTO framework for trade could cost more than a million jobs across Britain’ due to trade barriers such as tariffs, regulatory barriers and customs checks impeding trade.

But the report suggests Cornwall would be worst affected due to the high proportion of EU exports in the most vulnerable goods sectors, particularly food and live animals, accounting for 90% of exports to the EU, and material manufactures, accounting for 69%.

Responding, Molly, who is the region’s Green MEP, said:

“Brexit would hit Cornwall harder than any other region in the UK. This report highlights the disastrous impacts of a no deal WTO scenario on the Cornish economy and on jobs. But, like other reports before it, it also concludes that any trading arrangement where the UK is left outside the single market and customs union would result in an economic downturn.

“Cornwall is also a major beneficiary of EU regional development funding and the government have no firm plans in place on how this will be replaced after Brexit. And now we hear the government plans to end freedom of movement for unskilled workers. But these workers are crucial for the Cornish economy, especially in the food, farming and hospitality sectors.

“All of this explains why more people in Cornwall have changed their minds on Brexit than anywhere else in the country [3] and that a majority now believe Britain will be better off economically inside Europe. This is why I am championing a People’s Vote. As promises are broken and it becomes clear what Brexit really means, the Cornish people need a say on whether they think the post-Brexit deal on offer is better or worse than remaining a member of the EU.”

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